David Liittschwager

“Scientists estimate that 90 percent of the species In the oceans have yet to be classified.”

If you think that is mind-blowing, you have to see this book! It is amazingly GORGEOUS!!! There are 189 images in the book, taken from June 2008 to March 2020. The subjects come from the “… 300 species of octopus, 47 species of seahorse, and thousands of species of what are commonly referred to as jellyfish…”. And if the top quote is accurate, that’s just from the 10 percent we’ve discovered!

A great book to look at! I really liked the jellyfish photos against the black background! Beautiful!
Nature is so amazing!… (mais)

Octopus, seahorse and jellyfish are three ocean animals that evoke mystery and wonder whenever we can glimpse a look. Their beauty and diversity reels you in for a closer look. In Octopus, Seahorse, Jellyfish photographer David Liittschwager reveals the work of 12 years of specialized photography of these beautiful creatures. All of the animals are pictured on white backgrounds through a photographic technique of using condenser lenses that allows light to be focused on the camera lens, increasing the contrast allowing for all of the animals' details and intricacies to come forward. Each chapter focuses on one type of animal and is accompanied by an essay by an expert in the field to give context and information about the animal, it's environment and special features.
Through the photography, the octopus dances across the page and stares into your eyes. Their amazing skin texture and tentacles can be seen up close and in astounding detail. The seahorse, seadragon and pipefish are pictured much bigger than their actual size so that their graceful shapes, intricate patterns and delicate features can be appreciated. A wide variety of jellyfish are featured with close ups of tentacles, bells, and their overall lack of body parts is apparent. I was intrigued by their many different forms and ways to reproduce for a creature that seems so simple. I had no idea that there were eternal jellyfish or that they went through so many different phases to become the final form that we know as a medusa. Overall, Octopus, Seahorse, Jellyfish is an amazing display of photography that allows these animals to shine and creates a call to protect these creatures that we share the Earth with.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.… (mais)

Octopus, Seahorse, Jellyfish
by David Liittschwager, Elizabeth Kolbert

I received a sample of 16 pages from NetGalley to judge this book. If it were any other publisher than National Geographic I would hesitate to rate what I have not read. What I did see was typical gorgeous photography you would expect from NatGeo. The little script that was there could be suited for any age. This had sea life, my favorite!

Since I drool all over NatGeo magazines but especially their nature books, I have no doubt in the least that the rest of the book will be as mesmerizing as all of their other books! So I don't hesitate at all to give a positive rating for this book based on what I have seen and the reputation of these delightfully, educational, and entertaining books!… (mais)